CHAPTER

WRITING AND
10
SOLVING
CHAPTER
SYSTEMS OF TABLE OF CONTENTS

10-1 Writing an Equation Given

LINEAR Slope and One Point

10-2 Writing an Equation Given
Two Points
FUNCTIONS 10-3 Writing an Equation Given
the Intercepts

Architects often add an outdoor stairway to a 10-4 Using a Graph to Solve a

System of Linear Equations
building as a design feature or as an approach to an
10-5 Using Addition to Solve a
entrance above ground level. But stairways are an System of Linear Equations
obstacle to persons with disabilities, and most build-
10-6 Using Substitution to Solve a
ings are now approached by means of ramps in addi- System of Linear Equations
tion to or in place of stairways. 10-7 Using Systems of Equations
In designing a ramp, the architect must keep the to Solve Verbal Problems
slant or slope gradual enough to easily accommodate 10-8 Graphing the Solution Set of
a wheelchair. If the slant is too gradual, however, the a System of Inequalities
ramp may become inconveniently long or may require Chapter Summary
turns to fit it into the available space.The architect will Vocabulary
also want to include design features that harmonize Review Exercises
with the rest of the building and its surroundings.
Cumulative Review
Solving a problem such as the design of a ramp
often involves writing and determining the solution of
several equations or inequalities at the same time.
401
402 Writing and Solving Systems of Linear Functions

10-1 WRITING AN EQUATION GIVEN SLOPE AND ONE POINT

You have learned to draw a line using the slope and the coordinates of one point
on the line. With this same information, we can also write an equation of a line.

EXAMPLE 1

Write an equation of the line that has a slope of 4 and that passes through point
(3, 5).

Solution METHOD 1. Use the definition of slope.

How to Proceed
y 2y
(1) Write the definition of slope: slope  x22 2 x11
y25
(2) Let (x1, y1)  (3, 5) and (x2, y2)  (x, y). 4  x23
Substitute these values in the definition of slope:
(3) Solve the equation for y in terms of x: y  5  4(x  3)
y  5  4x  12
y  4x  7

METHOD 2. Use the slope-intercept form of an equation.

How to Proceed
(1) In the equation of a line, y = mx  b, replace y  mx  b
m by the given slope, 4: y  4x  b
(2) Since the given point, (3, 5), is on the line, 5  4(3)  b
its coordinates satisfy the equation y  4x  b.
Replace x by 3 and y by 5:
(3) Solve the resulting equation to find the value 5  12  b
of b, the y-intercept: –7  b
(4) In y  4x  b, replace b by 7: y  4x  7

Answer y  4x  7

Note: In standard form (Ax  By  C), the equation of the line is

4x  y  7.
 Writing an Equation Given Slope and One Point 403

EXERCISES
Writing About Mathematics
1. Micha says that there is another set of information that can be used to find the equation of
a line: the y-intercept and the slope of the line. Jen says that that is the same information as
the coordinates of one point and the slope of the line. Do you agree with Jen? Explain why
or why not.
2. In Method 1 used to find the equation of a line with a slope of 4 and that passes through
point (3, 5):
a. How can the slope, 4, be written as a ratio?
b. What are the principles used in each step of the solution?

Developing Skills
In 3–6, in each case, write an equation of the line that has the given slope, m, and that passes through
the given point.
3. m  2; (1, 4) 4. m  2; (3, 4) 5. m  3; (2, 1) 6. m 5 253; (3, 0)
7. Write an equation of the line that has a slope of 21 and a y-intercept of 2.
8. Write an equation of the line that has a slope of 23
4 and a y-intercept of 0.
9. Write an equation of the line, in the form y  mx  b, that is:
a. parallel to the line y  2x  4, and has a y-intercept of 1.
b. perpendicular to the line y  2x  4, and has a y-intercept of 1.
c. parallel to the line y  3x  6, and has a y-intercept of 2.
d. perpendicular to the line y  3x  6, and has a y-intercept of 2.
e. parallel to the line 2x  3y  12, and passes through the origin.
f. perpendicular to the line 2x  3y  12, and passes through the origin.
10. Write an equation of the line, in the form Ax  By  C, that is:
a. parallel to the line y  4x  1, and passes through point (2, 3).
b. perpendicular to the line y  4x  1, and passes through point (2, 3).
c. parallel to the line 2y  6x  9, and passes through point (2, 1).
d. perpendicular to the line 2y  6x  9, and passes through point (2, 1).
e. parallel to the line y  4x  3, and has the same y-intercept as the line y  5x  3.
f. perpendicular to the line y  4x  3, and has the same y-intercept as the line
y  5x  3.
404 Writing and Solving Systems of Linear Functions

11. For a–c, write an equation, in the form y  mx  b, that describes each graph.
a. y b. c.
(–4, 1)

1
+
–1 O

x
=
y
(1, 2)
–1
(2, 3)

x
+
1 O

y
=
O

5
1 1
Applying Skills
12. Follow the directions below to draw a map in the coordinate plane.
a. The map begins at the point A(0, 3) with a straight line segment that has a slope of 1.
Write an equation for this segment.
b. Point B has an x-coordinate of 4 and is a point on the line whose equation you wrote
in a. Find the coordinates of B and draw AB.
c. Next, write an equation for a segment from point B that has a slope of 212.
d. Point C has an x-coordinate of 6 and is a point on the line whose equation you wrote
in c. Find the coordinates of C and draw BC.
e. Finally, write an equation for a line through C that has a slope of 12.
f. Point D lies on the line whose equation you wrote in e and on the y-axis. Does point D
coincide with point A?
13. If distance is represented by y and time by x, then the rate at which a car travels along a
straight road can be represented as slope. Tom leaves his home and drives for 12 miles to
the thruway entrance. On the thruway, he travels 65 miles per hour.
a. Write an equation for Tom’s distance from his home in terms of the number of hours
that he traveled on the thruway. (Hint: Tom enters the thruway at time 0 when he is at
a distance of 12 miles from his home.)
b. How far from home is Tom after 3 hours?
c. How many hours has Tom driven on the thruway when he is 285 miles from home?

10-2 WRITING AN EQUATION GIVEN TWO POINTS

You have learned to draw a line using two points on the line. With this same
information, we can also write an equation of a line.
 Writing an Equation Given Two Points 405

EXAMPLE 1

Write an equation of the line that passes through points (2, 5) and (4, 11).

Solution METHOD 1. Use the definition of slope and the coordinates of the two
points to find the slope of the line. Then find the equation of the
line using the slope and the coordinates of one point.

How to Proceed
(1) Find the slope of the line Let P1  (2, 5). [x1  2 and y1  5]
that passes through the Let P2  (4, 11). [x2  4 and y2  11]
two given points, (2, 5) y 2y
and (4, 11): m 5 x22 2 x11 5 11 25 6
422 5 2 5 3
(2) In y = mx  b, replace m y  mx  b
by the slope, 3: y  3x  b
(3) Select one point that is on 5  3(2)  b
the line, for example, (2, 5).
Its coordinates must satisfy
the equation y  3x  b.
Replace x by 2 and y by 5:
(4) Solve the resulting equation to 56b
find the value of b, the y-intercept: 1  b
(5) In y  3x  b, replace b by 1: y  3x  1

METHOD 2. Let A(2, 5) and B(4, 11) be the two given points on the line and
P(x, y) be any point on the line. Use the fact that the slope of
PA equals the slope of AB to write an equation.
How to Proceed
y25
(1) Set slope of PA equal to slope of AB: x22 5 522211
4
y25
(2) Solve the resulting equation for y: x22 5 26
22
y25
x22 53
y 2 5 5 3(x 2 2)
y 2 5 5 3x 2 6
y 5 3x 2 1

Check Do the coordinates of the second point, (4, 11), satisfy the equation y  3x  1?
?
11 5 3(4)  1
11  11 ✔

Answer y  3x  1
406 Writing and Solving Systems of Linear Functions

EXERCISES
Writing About Mathematics
1. In step 3 of Method 1, the coordinates (2, 5) were substituted into the equation. Could the
coordinates (4, 11), the coordinates of the other point on the line, be substituted instead?
Explain your answer and show that you are correct.
2. Name the principle used in each step of the solution of the equation in Method 2.

Developing Skills
In 3–6, in each case write an equation of the line, in the form y  mx  b, that passes through the
given points.
3. (0, 5), (2, 0) 4. (0, 3), (1, 1) 5. (1, 4), (3, 8) 6. (3, 1), (9, 7)

In 7–10, in each case write an equation of the line, in the form Ax  By  C, that passes through the
given points.
7. (1, 2), (10, 14) 8. (0, 1), (6, 8) 9. (2, 5), (1, 2) 10. (0, 0), (3, 5)
11. A triangle is determined by the three points A(3, 5), B(6, 4), and C(1, 1). Write the equa-
tion of each line in the form y  mx  b:
g g g
a. AB b. BC c. CA
d. Is triangle ABC a right triangle? Explain your answer.
12. A quadrilateral is determined by the four points W(1, 1), X(4, 6), Y A 12, 1012 B , Z A 535, 535 B . Is
the quadrilateral a trapezoid? Explain your answer.

Applying Skills
13. Latonya uploads her digital photos to an internet service that archives them onto CDs for a
fee per CD plus a fixed amount for postage and handling; that is, the amount for postage
and handling is the same no matter how many archive CDs she purchases. Last month
Latonya paid $7.00 for two archive CDs, and this month she paid $13.00 for five archive
CDs.
a. Write two ordered pairs such that the x-coordinate is the number of archive CDs pur-
chased and the y-coordinate is the total cost of archiving the photos.
b. Write an equation for the total cost, y, for x archive CDs.
c. What is the domain of the equation found in b? Write your answer in set-builder
notation.
d. What is the range of the equation found in b? Write your answer in set-builder
notation.
 Writing an Equation Given the Intercepts 407

14. Every repair bill at Chickie’s Service Spot includes a fixed charge for an estimate of the
repairs plus an hourly fee for labor. Jack paid $123 for a TV repair that required 3 hours of
labor. Nina paid $65 for a DVD player repair that required 1 hour of labor.
a. Write two ordered pairs (x, y), where x represents the number of hours of labor and y
is the total cost for repairs.
b. Write an equation in the form y = mx  b that expresses the value of y, the total cost
of repairs, in terms of x, the number of hours of labor.
c. What is the fixed charge for an estimate at Chickie’s Service Spot?
d. What is the hourly fee for labor at Chickie’s?
15. A copying service charges a uniform rate for the first one hundred copies or less and a fee
for each additional copy. Nancy Taylor paid $7.00 to make 200 copies and Rosie Barbi paid
$9.20 to make 310 copies.
a. Write two ordered pairs (x, y), where x represents the number of copies over one hun-
dred and y represents the cost of the copies.
b. Write an equation in the form y = mx  b that expresses the value of y, the total cost
of the copies, in terms of x, the number of copies over one hundred.
c. What is the cost of the first one hundred copies?
d. What is the cost of each additional copy?

10-3 WRITING AN EQUATION GIVEN THE INTERCEPTS

The x-intercept and the y-intercept are two points on the graph of a line. If we
know these two points, we can graph the line and we can write the equation of
the line. For example, to write the equation of the line whose x-intercept is 5 and
whose y-intercept is 3, we can use two points.
• If the x-intercept is 5, one point is (5, 0).
• If the y-intercept is 3, one point is (0, 3).
Let (x, y) be any other point on the line. Set the slope of the line from (x, y)
to (5, 0) equal to the slope of the line from (5, 0) to (0, 3).
y20 0 2 (23)
x25 5 520
y 3
x25 5 5
Solve the resulting equation for y.
5y  3(x  5)
5y  3x  15
y 5 35x 2 3
408 Writing and Solving Systems of Linear Functions

The slope-intercept form of the equation shows that the y-intercept is 3.
Recall from Section 9-6 that we can write this equation in intercept form to show
both the x-intercept and the y-intercept.
Start with the equation: 5y  3x  15
Add 3x to each side: 3x  5y  15
23x 5y
Divide each term by the constant term: 215 1 215 5 215
215
x y
5 1 23 51
When the equation is in this form, x is divided by the x-intercept and y is
divided by the y-intercept. In other words, when the equation of a line is written
x y
in the form a 1 b 5 1, the x-intercept is a and the y-intercept is b.

EXAMPLE 1

Write an equation of the line whose x-intercept is 1 and whose y-intercept is

2
3. Writethe answer in standard form (Ax  By  C).

Solution How to Proceed

x y x y
(1) In a 1 b 5 1, replace a by 1 and b by 23: a 1b 51
x y
21  2 1
3
x y
(2) Write this equation in simpler form: 21 1 1 ? 32 5 1
x 3y
21 1 2 51
Note: In the original form of the equation, y is divided by 32. To divide by 32 is
the same as to multiply by the reciprocal, 32.

22 A 21 B 2 2A 2 B
x 3y
(3) Write the equation with integral coefficients 5 22(1)
by multiplying each term of the equation
by the product of the denominators, 2: 2x 2 3y 5 22

Answer 2x  3y  2

EXAMPLE 2

Find the x-intercept and y-intercept of the equation x  5y  2.

 Writing an Equation Given the Intercepts 409

x y
Solution Write the equation in the form a 1 b 5 1. Divide each member of the equa-
tion by 2, the constant term:
x 1 5y 5 2
x 5y 2
21 2 52
x 5y
21 2 51

The number that divides x, 2, is the x-intercept. The variable y is multiplied by

5 2
2, which is equivalent to saying that it is divided by the reciprocal, 5, so the
2
y-intercept is 5.

Answer The x-intercept is 2 and the y-intercept is 25.

EXERCISES
Writing About Mathematics
x y
1. a. Can the equation y  4 be put into the form a 1 b 5 1 to find the x-intercept and y-inter-
cept of the line? Explain your answer.
x y
b. Can the equation x  4 be put into the form a 1 b 5 1 to find the x-intercept and y-
intercept of the line? Explain your answer.
x y
2. Can the equation x  y  0 be put into the form a 1 b 5 1 to find the x-intercept and y-
intercept of the line? Explain your answer.

Developing Skills
In 3–10, find the intercepts of each equation if they exist.
3. x  y  5 4. x  3y  6 5. 5y  x  10 6. 2x  y  2  0
7. 3x  4y  8 8. 7  x  2y 9. y  3x  1 10. y  4
x y
11. Express the slope of a 1 b 5 1 in terms of a and b.
12. For a–c, use the x- and y-intercepts to write an equation for each graph.
a. b. c.

1 23
O 2 O
–1 O 1 13
–1.5 –1
410 Writing and Solving Systems of Linear Functions

Applying Skills
13. Triangle ABC is drawn on the coordinate plane. Point A is at (4, 0), point B is at (0, 3), and
point C is at the origin.
g x y
a. What is the equation of AB written in the form a 1 b 5 1?
b. What is the length of AB?
14. a. Isosceles right triangle ABC is drawn on the coordinate plane. Write the equation of each
side of the triangle if C is the right angle at the origin and the length of each leg is 7.
b. Is more than one answer to a possible? Explain your answer.

10-4 USING A GRAPH TO SOLVE A SYSTEM OF LINEAR EQUATIONS

Consistent Equations
The perimeter of a rectangle is 10 feet.
When we let x represent the width of Let x  the width of the rectangle,
the rectangle and y represent the and y  the length of the rectangle.
length, the equation 2x  2y  10 Perimeter:
expresses the perimeter of the rectan- 2x  2y  10
gle. This equation, which can be simpli-
fied to x  y  5, has infinitely many xy5 (Simplified)
solutions. Measures of the sides:
If we also know that the length of yx1
the rectangle is 1 foot more than the
width, the dimensions of the rectangle System of simultaneous equations:
can be represented by the equation xy5
y  x  1. We want both of the equa- yx1
tions, x  y  5 and y = x  1, to be true
for the same pair of numbers. The two
equations are called a system of simultaneous equations or a linear system.
The solution of a system of simultaneous equations in two variables is an
ordered pair of numbers that satisfies both equations.
The graphs of x  y  5 and y  x  1, drawn
y
using the same set of axes in a coordinate plane,
1

are shown at the right. The possible solutions of

+
x

x  y  5 are all ordered pairs that are coordi-

=
y

nates of the points on the line x  y  5. The pos-

sible solutions of y  x  1 are all ordered pairs (2, 3)
x

that are coordinates of the points on the line

+

y  x  1. The coordinates of the point of inter- 1

y
=

O
5

section, (2, 3), are a solution of both equations. x

–1 1
The ordered pair (2, 3) is a solution of the system –1
of simultaneous equations.
 Using a Graph to Solve a System of Linear Equations 411

Check: Substitute (2, 3) in both equations:

xy5 yx1
? ?
2 1 3 55 3 52 1 1
55✔ 33✔

Since two straight lines can intersect in no more than one point, there is no
other ordered pair that is a solution of this system. Therefore x  2 and y  3,
or (2, 3), is the solution of the system of equations. The width of the rectangle is
2 feet, and the length of the rectangle is 3 feet.
When two lines are graphed in the same coordinate plane on the same set
of axes, one and only one of the following three possibilities can occur. The pair
of lines will:
1. intersect in one point and have one ordered number pair in common;
2. be parallel and have no ordered number pairs in common;
3. coincide, that is, be the same line with an infinite number of ordered num-
ber pairs in common.
If a system of linear equations such as x  y  5 and y  x  1 has at least
one common solution, it is called a system of consistent equations. If a system
has exactly one solution, it is a system of independent equations.

Inconsistent Equations
Sometimes, as shown at the right, when two lin- y
ear equations are graphed in a coordinate plane
using the same set of axes, the lines are parallel
and fail to intersect, as in the case of x  y  2
and x  y  4. There is no common solution for x
+
the system of equations x  y  2 and x  y  4. y
=
x

4
It is obvious that there can be no ordered
+
y

number pair (x, y) such that the sum of those 1

=

O x
2

numbers, x  y, is both 2 and 4. Since the solu- –1 1

tion set of the system has no members, it is the –1
empty set.
If a system of linear equations such as x  y  2 and x  y  4 has no com-
mon solution, it is called a system of inconsistent equations. The graphs of two
inconsistent linear equations are lines that have equal slopes or lines that have
no slopes. Such lines are parallel.
412 Writing and Solving Systems of Linear Functions

Dependent Equations
Sometimes, as shown at the right, when two linear y
equations are graphed in a coordinate plane using
the same set of axes, the graphs turn out to be the
same line; that is, they coincide. This happens in the 2x
+
case of the equations x  y  2 and 2x  2y  4. x an 2y
+ d =
Every one of the infinite number of solutions of y 4
1 =
x  y  2 is also a solution of 2x  2y  4. Thus, we O 2
see that 2x  2y  4 and x  y  2 are equivalent –1 1 x
equations with identical solutions. We note that, –1
when both sides of the equation 2x  2y  4 are
divided by 2, the result is x  y  2.
If a system of two linear equations, for example, x  y  2 and 2x  2y  4,
is such that every solution of one of the equations is also a solution of the other,
it is called a system of dependent equations. The graphs of two dependent lin-
ear equations are the same line. Note that a system of dependent equations is
considered consistent because there is at least one solution.

Procedure
To solve a pair of linear equations graphically:
1. Graph one equation in a coordinate plane.
2. Graph the other equation using the same set of coordinate axes.
3. One of three relationships will apply:
a. If the graphs intersect in one point, the common solution is the ordered
pair of numbers that are the coordinates of the point of intersection of
the two graphs.The equations are independent and consistent.
b. If the graphs have no points in common, that is, the graphs are parallel,
there is no solution.The equations are inconsistent.
c. If the graphs have all points in common, that is, the graphs are the same
line, every point on the line is a solution.The equations are consistent
and dependent.
4. Check any solution by verifying that the ordered pair satisfies both
equations.

EXAMPLE 1

Solve graphically and check: 2x  y  8

yx2
 Using a Graph to Solve a System of Linear Equations 413

Solution (1) Graph the first equation in a coordinate plane.

Solve the first equation for y: 2x  y  8
y  2x  8
The y-intercept is 8 and the slope is 2. y
Start at the point (0, 8) and move down (0, 8)
2 units and to the right 1 unit to deter-
mine two other points. Or, choose three
values of x and find the corresponding
values of y to determine three points.
Draw the line that is the graph of

2x
2x  y  8:

+y
=8
1

–1 O 1 x
–1

(2) Graph the second equation using the same set of coordinate axes.
Solve the second equation for y: yx2
yx2
The y-intercept is 2 and the slope is 1.
y
Start at the point (0, 2) and move up 1
unit and to the right 1 unit to determine (0, 8)
two other points. Or, choose three values
of x and find the corresponding values of
y to determine three points. Draw the line
that is the graph of y – x  2 on the same
P (2, 4)
set of coordinate axes:

2x
2 (0, 2)

+y
=
x 1

=8
–
y
–1 O 1 x
–1

(3) The graphs intersect at one point, P(2, 4).

(4) Check: Substitute (2, 4) in each equation:
2x  y  8 yx2
? ?
2(2) 1 4 5 8 42252
448✔ 22✔
414 Writing and Solving Systems of Linear Functions

Calculator (1) Solve the equations for y: 2x  y  8 yx2

Solution y  2x  8 yx2
(2) Enter the equations in the Yⴝ menu.

ENTER: Yⴝ (-) 2 X,T,⍜,n ⴙ 8 ENTER

X,T,⍜,n ⴙ 2

DISPLAY:
Plot1 Plot2 Plot3
\Y1 = -2X+8
\ Y 2 = X+ 2

(3) Use ZStandard to display the equations.

ENTER: ZOOM 6

DISPLAY:

(4) Use TRACE to determine the coordinates of the point of intersection.

Use the right and left arrow keys to move along the first equation to what
appears to be the point of intersection and note the coordinates, (2, 4).
Use the up arrow key to change to the second equation. Again note the
coordinates of the point of intersection, (2, 4).

ENTER: TRACE

DISPLAY:
Y1=–2X+8

X=2 Y=4

Answer (2, 4), or x  2, y  4, or the solution set {(2, 4)}

 Using a Graph to Solve a System of Linear Equations 415

EXERCISES
Writing About Mathematics
1. Are there any ordered pairs that satisfy both the equations 2x  y  7 and
2x  5  y? Explain your answer.
2. Are there any ordered pairs that satisfy the equation y  x  4 but do not satisfy the equa-
tion 2y  8  2x? Explain your answer.

Developing Skills
In 3–22, solve each system of equations graphically, and check.
3. y  2x  5 4. y  2x  3 5. x  y  1
yx4 y  12x  3 xy7
6. x  y  5 7. y  2x  1 8. x  2y  12
x  3y  9 x  2y  7 y  2x  6
9. y  3x 10. x  3y  9 11. y  x  2
2x  y  10 x3 x  2y  4
12. 3x  y  6 13. y  2x  4 14. 2x – y  1
y3 xy5 xy1
15. y  13x  3 16. 3x  y  13 17. 2x  y  9
2x  y  8 x  6y  7 6x  3y  15
18. 5x  3y  9 19. x  0 20. x  y  2  0
5y  13  x y0 xy8
21. y  2x  6  0 22. 7x  4y  7  0
yx 3x  5y  3  0

In 23–28, in each case: a. Graph both equations. b. State whether the system is consistent and inde-
pendent, consistent and dependent, or inconsistent.
23. x  y  1 24. x  y  5 25. y  2x  1
xy3 2x  2y  10 y  3x  3
26. 2x  y  1 27. y  3x  2 28. x  4y  6
2y  4x  2 y  3x  2 x2

Applying Skills
In 29–32, in each case: a. Write a system of two first-degree equations involving the variables x and
y that represent the conditions stated in the problem. b. Solve the system graphically.
29. The sum of two numbers is 8. The difference of these numbers is 2. Find the numbers.
416 Writing and Solving Systems of Linear Functions

30. The sum of two numbers is 5. The larger number is 7 more than the smaller number. Find
the numbers.
31. The perimeter of a rectangle is 12 meters. Its length is twice its width. Find the dimensions
of the rectangle.
32. The perimeter of a rectangle is 14 centimeters. Its length is 3 centimeters more than its
width. Find the length and the width.
33. a. The U-Drive-It car rental agency rents cars for $50 a day with unlimited free mileage.
Write an equation to show the cost of renting a car from U-Drive-It for one day, y, if the
car is driven for x miles.
b. The Safe Travel car rental agency rents cars for $30 a day plus $0.20 a mile. Write an
equation to show the cost of renting a car from Safe Travel for one day, y, if the car is
driven for x miles.
c. Draw, on the same set of axes, the graphs of the equations written in parts a and b.
d. If Greg will drive the car he rents for 200 miles, which agency offers the less expensive
car?
e. If Sarah will drive the car she rents for 50 miles, which agency offers the less expensive
car?
f. If Philip finds that the price for both agencies will be the same, how far is he planning
to drive the car?

10-5 USING ADDITION TO SOLVE A SYSTEM

OF LINEAR EQUATIONS
In the preceding section, graphs were used to find solutions of systems of simul-
taneous equations. Since most of the solutions were integers, the values of x and
y were easily read from the graphs. However, it is not always possible to read
values accurately from a graph.
For example, the graphs of the system y
of equations 2x  y  2 and x  y  2 are
shown at the right. The solution of this sys- x
+ 2
tem of equations is not a pair of integers. y
y=
=
We could approximate the solution and 2
–
2x

then determine whether our approximation

was correct by checking. However, there
1
are other, more direct methods of solution. O
Algebraic methods can be used to –1–1 1 x
solve a system of linear equations in two
variables. Solutions by these methods
often take less time and lead to more accu-
rate results than the graphic method used
in Section 4 of this chapter.
 Using Addition to Solve a System of Linear Equations 417

To solve a system of linear equations such as 2x  y  2 and x  y  2, we

make use of the properties of equality to obtain an equation in one variable.
When the coefficient of one of the variables in the first equation is the additive
inverse of the coefficient of the same variable in the second, that variable can
be eliminated by adding corresponding members of the two equations.
The system 2x  y  2 and x  y  2 can be solved by the addition method
as follows:
(1) Since the coefficients of y in the 2x  y  2
two equations are additive inverses, xy2
Solve for x add the equations to obtain an 3x 4
equation that has only one variable:
(2) Solve the resulting equation for x: x 5 43

(3) Replace x by its value in either xy2

4
of the given equations: 3y2
Solve for y
(4) Solve the resulting equation 243 1 43 1 y 5 2 2 43
for y: y 5 23

Check: Substitute 34 for x and 23 for y in each of the given equations, and show
that these values make the given equations true:
2x 2 y 5 2 x1y 5 2
2 A 43 B 2 23 5 2 4
1 23 5 2
? ?
3
8 6 ?
2 23 5 2
?
3 35 2
6 ?
35 2 252✔
252✔
We were able to add the equations in two variables to obtain an equation in
one variable because the coefficients of one of the variables were additive
inverses. If the coefficients of neither variable are additive inverses, we can mul-
tiply one or both equations by a convenient constant or constants. For clarity, it
is often helpful to label the equations in a system. The procedure is shown in the
following examples.

KEEP IN MIND When solving a system of linear equations for a variable using
the addition method, if the result is:
• the equation 0  0, then the system is dependent;
• a false statement (such as 0  3), then the system is inconsistent.
418 Writing and Solving Systems of Linear Functions

EXAMPLE 1

Solve the system of equations and check:

x  3y  13 [A]
xy5 [B]

Solution How to Proceed

(1) Since the coefficients of the variable x are x  3y  13 [A]
the same in both equations, write an equation x  y  5 1[B]
equivalent to equation [B] by multiplying 2y  8
both sides of equation [B] by 1. Now, since
the coefficients of x are additive inverses, add
the two equations so that the resulting
equation involves one variable, y:
(2) Solve the resulting equation for the y4
variable y:
(3) Replace y by its value in either of the xy5 [B]
given equations: x45
(4) Solve the resulting equation for the remaining x1
variable, x:

Check Substitute 1 for x and 4 for y in each of the given equations to verify the
solution:
x  3y  13 xy5
? ?
1 1 3(4) 5 13 11455
?
1 1 12 5 13 55✔
13  13 ✔

Answer x  1, y  4 or (1, 4)

Note: If equation [A] in Example 1 was x  y  13, then the system of

equations would be inconsistent.
x  y  13 [A]
x  y  5 [B]
0 8✘
 Using Addition to Solve a System of Linear Equations 419

EXAMPLE 2

Solve the system of equations and check:

5a  b  13 [A]
4a  3b  18 [B]

Solution How to Proceed

(1) Multiply both sides of equation [A] by 5a  b  13 [A]
3 to obtain an equivalent equation, 3[A]: 15a  3b  39 3[A]
Note that the coefficient of b in 3[A] is
the additive inverse of the coefficient of
b in [B].
(2) Add the corresponding members of 15a  3b  39 3[A]
equations 3[A] and [B] to eliminate 4a  3b  18 [B]
the variable b: 19a  57
(3) Solve the resulting equation for a: a3
(4) Replace a by its value in either of the 5a  b  13 [A]
given equations and solve for b: 5(3)  b  13
15  b  13
b  2

Check Substitute 3 for a and 2 for b in the given equations:

5a  b  13 4a  3b  18
? ?
5(3) 1 (22) 5 13 4(3) 2 3(22) 5 18
? ?
15 1 (22) 5 13 12 1 6 5 18
13  13 ✔ 18  18 ✔

Answer a  3, b  2, or (a, b)  (3, 2)

Order is critical when expressing solutions. While (a, b)  (3, 2) is the
solution to the above system of equations, (a, b)  (2, 3) is not. Be sure that
all variables correspond to their correct values in your answers.
420 Writing and Solving Systems of Linear Functions

EXAMPLE 3

Solve and check:

7x  5  2y [A]
3y  16  2x [B]

Solution
How to Proceed
(1) Transform each of the given equations 7x  5  2y [A]
into equivalent equations in which the 7x  2y  5
terms containing the variables appear 3y  16  2x [B]
on one side and the constant appears 2x  3y  16
on the other side:
(2) To eliminate y, find the least common 3(7x  2y  5) 3[A]
multiple of the coefficients of y in 2(2x  3y  16) 2[B]
equations [A] and [B]. That least
common multiple is 6. We want to
write one equation in which the
coefficient of y is 6 and the other
in which the coefficient of y is 6.
Multiply both sides of equation [A]
by 3, and multiply both sides of
equation [B] by 2 so that the new
coefficients of y will be additive
inverses, 6 and 6:
(3) Add the corresponding members of 21x  6y  15 3[A]
this last pair of equations to eliminate 4x  6y  32 2[B]
variable y: 17x  17
(4) Solve the resulting equation for variable x: x  1
(5) Replace x by its value in any equation 3y  16  2x [B]
containing both variables: 3y  16  2(1)
3y  16  2
(6) Solve the resulting equation for the 3y  18
remaining variable, y: y6

Check Substitute 1 for x and 6 for y in each of the original equations to verify the
answer. The check is left to you.

Answer x  1, y  6 or (1, 6)

 Using Addition to Solve a System of Linear Equations 421

EXERCISES
Writing About Mathematics
1. Raphael said that the solution to Example 3 could have been found by multiplying equation
[A] by 2 and equation [B] by 7. Do you agree with Raphael? Explain why or why not.
2. Fernando said that the solution to Example 3 could have been found by multiplying equa-
tion [A] by 3 and equation [B] by 2. Do you agree with Fernando? Explain why or why
not.

Developing Skills
In 3–26, solve each system of equations by using addition to eliminate one of the variables. Check
your solution.
3. x  y  12 4. a  b  13 5. 3x  y  16
xy4 ab5 2x  y  11
6. c  2d  14 7. a  4b  8 8. 8a  5b  9
c  3d  9 a  2b  0 2a  5b  4
9. –2m  4n  13 10. 4x  y  10 11. 5x  8y  1
6m  4n  9 2x  3y  12 3x  4y  1
12. 5x  2y  20 13. 2x  y  26 14. 2x  3y  6
2x  3y  27 3x  2y  42 3x  5y  15
15. 5r  2s  8 16. 3x  7y  2 17. 4x  3y  1
3r  7s  1 2x  3y  3 5x  4y  1
18. 4a  6b  15 19. 2x  y  17 20. 5r  3s  30
6a – 4b  10 5x  25  y 2r  12  3s
21. 3x  4y  2 22. 3x  5(y  2)  1 23. 13x 1 14y 5 10
1 1
x  2(7  y) 8y  3x 3x 2 2y 5 4
24. 12a 1 13b 5 8 25. c  2d  1 26. 2a  3b
3 4 2 2 1
2a 2 3b 5 24 3c  5d  26 3a 2 2b 5 2

Applying Skills
27. Pepe invested x dollars in a savings account and y dollars in a certificate of deposit. His
total investment was $500. After 1 year he received 4% interest on the money in his savings
account and 6% interest on the certificate of deposit. His total interest was $26. To find how
much he invested at each rate, solve the following system of equations:
x  y  500
0.04x  0.06y  26
422 Writing and Solving Systems of Linear Functions

28. Mrs. Briggs deposited a total of $400 in two different banks. One bank paid 3% interest and
the other paid 5%. In one year, the total interest was $17. Let x be the amount invested at
3% and y be the amount invested at 5%. To find the amount invested in each bank, solve
the following system of equations:
x  y  400
0.03x  0.05y  17
29. Heather deposited a total of $600 in two different banks. One bank paid 3% interest and
the other 6%. The interest on the account that pays 3% was $9 more than the interest on
the account that pays 6%. Let x be the amount invested at 3% and y be the amount
invested at 6%. To find the amount Heather invested in each account, solve the following
system of equations:
x  y  600
0.03x  0.06y  9
30. Greta is twice as old as Robin. In 3 years, Robin will be 4 years younger than Greta is now.
Let g represent Greta’s current age, and let r represent Robin’s current age. To find their
current ages, solve the following system of equations:
g  2r
r3g4
31. At the grocery store, Keith buys 3 kiwis and 4 zucchinis for a total of $4.95. A kiwi costs
$0.25 more than a zucchini. Let k represent the cost of a kiwi, and let z represent the cost of
a zucchini. To find the cost of a kiwi and the cost of a zucchini, solve the following system of
equations:
3k  4z  4.95
k  z  0.25
32. A 4,000 gallon oil truck is loaded with gasoline and kerosene. The profit on one gallon of
gasoline is $0.10 and $0.13 for a gallon of kerosene. Let g represent the number of gallons of
gasoline loaded onto the truck and k the number of gallons of kerosene. To find the number
of gallons of each fuel that were loaded into the truck when the profit is $430, solve the fol-
lowing system of equations:
g  k  4,000
0.10g  0.13k  430

10-6 USING SUBSTITUTION TO SOLVE A SYSTEM

OF LINEAR EQUATIONS
Another algebraic method, called the substitution method, can be used to elim-
inate one of the variables when solving a system of equations. When we use this
method, we apply the substitution principle to transform one of the equations
of the system into an equivalent equation that involves only one variable.
 Using Substitution to Solve a System of Linear Equations 423

Substitution Principle: In any statement of equality, a quantity may be sub-

stituted for its equal.

To use the substitution method, we must express one variable in terms of

the other. Often one of the given equations already expresses one of the vari-
ables in terms of the other, as seen in Example 1.

EXAMPLE 1

Solve the system of equations and check:

4x  3y  27 [A]
y  2x  1 [B]

Solution How to Proceed

(1) Since in equation [B], both y and 4x  3y  27 [A]
2x  1 name the same number, y  2x  1 [B]
eliminate y in equation [A] by 4x  3(2x  1)  27 [B→A]
replacing it with 2x  1:
(2) Solve the resulting equation for x: 4x  6x  3  27
10x  3  27
10x  30
x3
(3) Replace x with its value in any y  2x  1 [B]
equation involving both variables: y  2(3)  1
(4) Solve the resulting equation for y: y61
y5

Check Substitute 3 for x and 5 for y in each of the given equations to verify that the
resulting sentences are true.
4x  3y  27 y  2x  1
? ?
4(3) 1 3(5) 5 27 5 5 2(3) 2 1
? ?
12 1 15 5 27 55621
27  27 ✔ 55✔

Answer x  3, y  5 or (3, 5)
424 Writing and Solving Systems of Linear Functions

EXAMPLE 2

Solve the system of equations and check:

3x  4y  26 [A]
x  2y  2 [B]

Solution In neither equation is one of the variables expressed in terms of the other. We
will use equation [B] in which the coefficient of x is 1 to solve for x in terms of y.
How to Proceed
(1) Transform one of the equations x  2y  2
into an equivalent equation in x  2  2y [B]
which one of the variables is
expressed in terms of the other.
In equation [B], solve for
x in terms of y:
(2) Eliminate x from equation [A] 3x  4y  26 [A]
by replacing it with its equal, 3(2  2y)  4y  26 [B→A]
2  2y, from step (1):
(3) Solve the resulting equation for y: 6  6y  4y  26
6  10y  26
10y  20
y  2
(4) Replace y by its value in any x  2  2y [B]
equation that has both variables: x  2  2(2)
(5) Solve the resulting equation for x: x24
x6

Check Substitute 6 for x and 2 for y in each of the given equations to verify that the
resulting sentences are true. This check is left to you.

Answer x  6, y  2 or (6, 2)

EXERCISES
Writing About Mathematics
1. In Example 2, the system of equations could have been solved by first solving the equation
3x  4y  26 for y. Explain why the method used in Example 2 was easier.
2. Try to solve the system of equations x  2y  5 and y  12x 1 1 by substituting 12x 1 1 for y
in the first equation. What conclusion can you draw?
 Using Substitution to Solve a System of Linear Equations 425

Developing Skills
In 3–14, solve each system of equations by using substitution to eliminate one of the variables.
Check.
3. y  x 4. y  2x 5. a  2b
x  y  14 x  y  21 5a  3b  13
6. y  x  1 7. a  3b  1 8. a  b  11
xy9 5b  2a  1 3a  2b  8
9. a  2b  2 10. 7x  3y  23 11. 4d  3h  25
2a  b  5 x  2y  13 3d  12h  9
12. 2x  3y 13. 4y  3x 14. 2x  3y  7
4x  3y  12 5x  8y  4 4x  5y  25

In 15–26, solve each system of equations by using any convenient algebraic method. Check.
15. s  r  0 16. 3a  b  13 17. y  x  2
rs6 2a  3b  16 3x  y  16
18. 3x  8y  16 19. y  3x 20. a 2 23b 5 4
1 3
5x  10y  25 3x 1 12y 5 11 5a 1 b 5 15
21. 3(y  6)  2x 22. x  y  300 23. 3d  13  2c
3c 1 d
3x  5y  11 0.1x  0.3y  78 2 8
a a1b
24. 3x  4y 25. 3 5 6 26. a  3(b  1)  0
3x 1 8 3y 2 1
5 5 2 5a  2b  49 2(a  1)  2b  16

Applying Skills
27. The length of the base of an isosceles triangle is 6 centimeters less than the sum of the
lengths of the two congruent sides. The perimeter of the triangle is 78 centimeters.
a. If x represents the length of each of the congruent sides and y represents the length of
the base, express y in terms of x.
b. Write an equation that represents the perimeter in terms of x and y.
c. Solve the equations that you wrote in a and b to find the lengths of the sides of the
triangle.
28. A package of batteries costs $1.16 more than a roll of film. Martina paid $11.48 for 3 rolls of
film and a package of batteries.
a. Express the cost of a package of batteries, y, in terms of the cost of a roll of film, x.
b. Write an equation that expresses the amount that Martina paid for the film and batter-
ies in terms of x and y.
c. Solve the equations that you wrote in a and b to find what Martina paid for a roll of
film and of a package of batteries.
426 Writing and Solving Systems of Linear Functions

29. The cost of the hotdog was $0.30 less than twice the cost of the cola. Jules paid $3.90 for a
hotdog and a cola.
a. Express the cost of a hotdog, y, in terms of the cost of a cola, x.
b. Express what Jules paid for a hotdog and a cola in terms of x and y.
c. Solve the equations that you wrote in a and b to find what Jules paid for a hotdog and
for a cola.
30. Terri is 12 years older than Jessica. The sum of their ages is 54.
a. Express Terri’s age, y, in terms of Jessica’s age, x.
b. Express the sum of their ages in terms of x and y.
c. Solve the equations that you wrote in a and b to find Terri’s age and Jessica’s age.

10-7 USING SYSTEMS OF EQUATIONS

TO SOLVE VERBAL PROBLEMS

You have previously learned how to solve word problems by using one variable.
Frequently, however, a problem can be solved more easily by using two vari-
ables rather than one variable. For example, we can use two variables to solve
the following problem:
The sum of two numbers is 8.6. Three times the larger number decreased by
twice the smaller is 6.3. What are the numbers?
First, we will represent each number by a different variable:
Let x  the larger number and y  the smaller number.
Now use the conditions of the problem to write two equations:
The sum of the numbers is 8.6: x  y  8.6
Three times the larger decreased by
twice the smaller is 6.3: 3x  2y  6.3
Solve the system of equations to find the numbers:
x  y  8.6 → 2(x  y)  2(8.6) x  y  8.6
2x  2y  17.2 4.7  y  8.6
3x  2y  6.3 y  3.9
5x  23.5
x  4.7
The two numbers are 4.7 and 3.9.
 Using Systems of Equations to Solve Verbal Problems 427

Procedure
To solve a word problem by using a system of two equations involving
two variables:
1. Use two different variables to represent the different unknown quantities in
the problem.
2. Use formulas or information given in the problem to write a system of two
equations in two variables.
3. Solve the system of equations.
4. Use the solution to determine the answer(s) to the problem.
5. Check the answer(s) in the original problem.

EXAMPLE 1

The owner of a men’s clothing store bought six belts and eight hats for $140. A
week later, at the same prices, he bought nine belts and six hats for $132. Find
the price of a belt and the price of a hat.

Solution (1) Let b  the price, in dollars, of a belt,

and h  the price, in dollars, of a hat.
(2) 6______
|
belts and 8_____
| |
hats cost $140.
|

↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
6b  8h  140
9______
|
belts and 6_____
| |
hats cost $132.
|

↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓
9b  6h  132
(3) The least common multiple of the coefficients of b is 18. To eliminate b,
write equivalent equations with 18 and 18 as the coefficients of b. Obtain
these equations by multiplying both sides of the first equation by 3 and
both members of the second equation by 2. Then add the equations and
solve for h.
3(6b  8h)  3(140) → 18b  24h  420
2(9b  6h)  2(132) → 18b  12h  264
12h  156
h 13
428 Writing and Solving Systems of Linear Functions

Substitute 13 for h in any equation containing both variables.

6b  8h  140
6b  8(13)  140
6b  104  140
6b  36
b6
(4) Check: 6 belts and 8 hats cost 6($6)  8($13)  $36  $104  $140. ✔
9 belts and 6 hats cost 9($6)  6($13)  $54  $78  $132. ✔

Answer A belt costs $6; a hat costs $13.

EXAMPLE 2

When Angelo cashed a check for $170, the bank teller gave him 12 bills, some
$20 bills and the rest $10 bills. How many bills of each denomination did Angelo
receive?

Solution (1) Represent the unknowns using two variables:

Let x  number of $10 bills,
and y  number of $20 bills.
In this problem, part of the information is in terms of the number of bills
(the bank teller gave Angelo 12 bills) and part of the information is in
terms of the value of the bills (the check was for $170).
(2) Write one equation using the number of bills: x  y  12
Write a second equation using the value of the bills. 10x  20y  170
The value of x $10 bills is l0x, the value of y $20 bills
is 20y, and the total value is $170:
(3) Solve the system of equations:
10x  20y  170 x  y  12
10(x  y)  10(12) → –10x  10y  120 x  5  12
10y  50 x 7
y 5
(4) Check the number of bills:
7 ten-dollar bills and 5 twenty-dollar bills  12 bills ✔
Check the value of the bills:
7 ten-dollar bills are worth $70 and 5 twenty-dollar bills are worth $100.
Total value  $70  $100  $170 ✔

Answer Angelo received 7 ten-dollar bills and 5 twenty-dollar bills.

 Using Systems of Equations to Solve Verbal Problems 429

EXERCISES
Writing About Mathematics
1. Midori solved the equations in Example 2 by using the substitution method. Which equation
do you think she would have solved for one of the variables? Explain your answer.
2. The following system can be solved by drawing a graph, by using the addition method, or by
using the substitution method.
xy1
5x  10y  8
a. Which method do you think is the more efficient way of solving this system of equa-
tions? Explain why you chose this method.
b. Which method do you think is the less efficient way of solving this system of equa-
tions? Explain why you chose this method.

Developing Skills
In 3–9, solve each problem algebraically, using two variables.
3. The sum of two numbers is 36. Their difference is 24. Find the numbers.
4. The sum of two numbers is 74. The larger number is 3 more than the smaller number. Find
the numbers.
5. The sum of two numbers is 104. The larger number is 1 less than twice the smaller number.
Find the numbers.
6. The difference between two numbers is 25. The larger exceeds 3 times the smaller by 4. Find
the numbers.
7. If 5 times the smaller of two numbers is subtracted from twice the larger, the result is 16. If
the larger is increased by 3 times the smaller, the result is 63. Find the numbers.
8. One number is 15 more than another. The sum of twice the larger and 3 times the smaller is
182. Find the numbers.
9. The sum of two numbers is 900. When 4% of the larger is added to 7% of the smaller, the
sum is 48. Find the numbers.

Applying Skills
In 10–31, solve each problem algebraically using two variables.
10. The perimeter of a rectangle is 50 centimeters. The length is 9 centimeters more than the
width. Find the length and the width of the rectangle.
11. A rectangle has a perimeter of 38 feet. The length is 1 foot less than 3 times the width. Find
the dimensions of the rectangle.
12. Two angles are supplementary. The larger angle measures 120° more than the smaller. Find
the degree measure of each angle.
430 Writing and Solving Systems of Linear Functions

13. Two angles are supplementary. The larger angle measures 15° less than twice the smaller.
Find the degree measure of each angle.
14. Two angles are complementary. The measure of the larger angle is 30° more than the mea-
sure of the smaller angle. Find the degree measure of each angle.
15. The measure of the larger of two complementary angles is 6° less than twice the measure of
the smaller angle. Find the degree measure of each angle.
16. In an isosceles triangle, each base angle measures 30° more than the vertex angle. Find the
degree measures of the three angles of the triangle.
17. At a snack bar, 3 pretzels and 1 can of soda cost $2.75. Two pretzels and 1 can of soda cost
$2.00. Find the cost of a pretzel and the cost of a can of soda.
18. On one day, 4 gardeners and 4 helpers earned $360. On another day, working the same
number of hours and at the same rate of pay, 5 gardeners and 6 helpers earned $480. Each
gardener receives the same pay for a day’s work and each helper receives the same pay for
a day’s work. How much does a gardener and how much does a helper earn each day?
19. A baseball manager bought 4 bats and 9 balls for $76.50. On another day, she bought 3 bats
and 1 dozen balls at the same prices and paid $81.00. How much did she pay for each bat
and each ball?
20. Mrs. Black bought 2 pounds of veal and 3 pounds of pork, for which she paid $20.00. Mr.
Cook, paying the same prices, paid $11.25 for 1 pound of veal and 2 pounds of pork. Find
the price of a pound of veal and the price of a pound of pork.
21. One day, Mrs. Rubero paid $18.70 for 4 kilograms of brown rice and 3 kilograms of basmati
rice. Next day, Mrs. Leung paid $13.30 for 3 kilograms of brown rice and 2 kilograms of bas-
mati rice. If the prices were the same on each day, find the price per kilogram for each type
of rice.
22. Tickets for a high school dance cost $10 each if purchased in advance of the dance, but $15
each if bought at the door. If 100 tickets were sold and $1,200 was collected, how many tick-
ets were sold in advance and how many were sold at the door?
23. A dealer sold 200 tennis racquets. Some were sold for $33 each, and the rest were sold on
sale for $18 each. The total receipts from these sales were $4,800. How many racquets did
the dealer sell at $18 each?
24. Mrs. Rinaldo changed a $100 bill in a bank. She received $20 bills and $10 bills. The number of
$20 bills was 2 more than the number of $10 bills. How many bills of each kind did she receive?
25. Linda spent $4.50 for stamps to mail packages. Some were 39-cent stamps and the rest were
24-cent stamps. The number of 39-cent stamps was 3 less than the number of 24-cent stamps.
How many stamps of each kind did Linda buy?
26. At the Savemore Supermarket, 3 pounds of squash and 2 pounds of eggplant cost $2.85. The
cost of 4 pounds of squash and 5 pounds of eggplant is $5.41. What is the cost of one pound
of squash, and what is the cost of one pound of eggplant?
27. One year, Roger Jackson and his wife Wilma together earned $67,000. If Roger earned
$4,000 more than Wilma earned that year, how much did each earn?
 Graphing the Solution Set of a System of Inequalities 431

28. Mrs. Moto invested $1,400, part at 5% and part at 8%. Her total annual income from both
investments was $100. Find the amount she invested at each rate.
29. Mr. Stein invested a sum of money in certificates of deposit yielding 4% a year and another
sum in bonds yielding 6% a year. In all, he invested $4,000. If his total annual income from
the two investments was $188, how much did he invest at each rate?
30. Mr. May invested $21,000, part at 8% and the rest at 6%. If the annual incomes from both
investments were equal, find the amount invested at each rate.
31. A dealer has some hard candy worth $2.00 a pound and some worth $3.00 a pound. He makes
a mixture of these candies worth $45.00. If he used 10 pounds more of the less expensive
candy than he used of the more expensive candy, how many pounds of each kind did he use?

10-8 GRAPHING THE SOLUTION SET OF

A SYSTEM OF INEQUALITIES
To find the solution set of a system of inequalities, we must find the ordered
pairs that satisfy the open sentences of the system. We do this by a graphic pro-
cedure that is similar to the method used in finding the solution set of a system
of equations.

EXAMPLE 1

Graph the solution set of this system: x2

y  2

Solution (1) Graph x  2 by first graphing the plane divider y l

x  2, which, in the figure at the right, is repre- x>2
sented by the dashed line labeled l. The half-plane 1
to the right of this line is the graph of the solution O 1 x
set of x  2.

(2) Using the same set of axes, graph y  2 by first y l

graphing the plane divider y  2, which, in the fig- x>2
ure at the right, is represented by the dashed line 1
labeled m. The half-plane below this line is the O 1 x
graph of the solution set of y  2. m
(3) The solution set of the system x  2 and y  2 y<–2 x>2
consists of the intersection of the solution sets of y<–2
x  2 and y  2. Therefore, the dark colored
region in the lower figure, which is the intersection
of the graphs made in steps (1) and (2), is the graph
of the solution set of the system x  2 and y  2.
432 Writing and Solving Systems of Linear Functions

From the graph on page 431, all points in the solution region, and no others,
satisfy both inequalities of the system. For example, point (4, 3), which lies in
the region, satisfies the system because its x-value satisfies one of the given
inequalities, 4  2, and its y-value satisfies the other inequality, 3  2.

EXAMPLE 2

Graph the solution set of 3  x  5 in a coordinate plane.

Solution The inequality 3  x  5 means 3  x and x  5. This may be written as x  3

and x  5.
(1) Graph x  3 by first graphing the plane y l
divider x  3, which, in the figure at the right,
is represented by the dashed line labeled l. x>3
The half-plane to the right of line x  3 is the 1
graph of the solution set of x  3. O 1 x

(2) Using the same set of axes, graph x  5 by y l m

first graphing the plane divider x  5, which,

3<x<5
in the figure at the right, is represented by the
dashed line labeled m. The half-plane to the 1
left of line x  5 is the graph of the solution O 1 x
set of x  5.
(3) The dark colored region, which is the inter-
section of the graphs made in steps (1) and
(2), is the graph of the solution set of
3  x  5, or x  3 and x  5. All points
in this region, and no others, satisfy 3  x  5.
For example, point (4, 3), which lies in the
region and whose x-value is 4, satisfies
3  x  5 because 3  4  5 is a true statement.

EXAMPLE 3

Graph the following system of inequalities and label the solution set R:
xy4
y  2x  3

Solution (1) Graph x  y  4 by first graphing the plane divider x  y  4, which, in

the figure at the top of page 433, is represented by the solid line labeled l.
The line x  y  4 and the half-plane above this line together form the
graph of the solution set of x  y  4.
 Graphing the Solution Set of a System of Inequalities 433

(2) Using the same set of axes, graph y

y  2x  3 by first graphing the plane
divider y  2x – 3. In the figure at the l x+y>4
right, this is the solid line labeled m. The
line y  2x  3 and the half-plane below x+y>4
this line together form the graph of the y < 2x – 3
solution set of y  2x  3. 1 R
O
(3) The dark colored region, the intersection x
–1–1 1
of the graphs made in steps (1) and (2), is
the solution set of the system x  y  4
y < 2x – 3
and y  2x  3. Label it R. Any point in
the region R, such as (5, 2), will satisfy
m
x  y  4 because 5  2  4, or 7  4, is
true, and will satisfy y  2x  3 because
2  2(5)  3, or 2  7, is true.

EXAMPLE 4

Sandi boards cats and dogs while their owners are away. Each week she can care
for no more than 12 animals. For next week she already has reservations for 4
cats and 5 dogs, but she knows those numbers will probably increase. Draw a
graph to show the possible numbers of cats and dogs that Sandi might board
next week and list all possible numbers of cats and dogs.

Solution (1) Let x  the number of cats Sandi will board, and y  the number of dogs.
(2) Use the information in the problem to write inequalities.
Sandi can care for no more than 12 animals: x  y  12
She expects at least 4 cats: x4
She expects at least 5 dogs: y5
(3) Draw the graphs of these three y
inequalities.
(4) The possible numbers of cats and
dogs are represented by the ordered
pairs of positive integers that are
included in the solution set of the
inequalities. These ordered pairs are y>5
shown as points on the graph.
x

The points (4, 5), (4, 6), (4, 7), (4, 8),
+
x>4

(5, 5), (5, 6), (5, 7), (6, 5), (6, 6), (7, 5),
<
12

all satisfy the given conditions. 1 O

–1–1 1 x
434 Writing and Solving Systems of Linear Functions

Answer If there are 4 cats, there can be 5, 6, 7, or 8 dogs.

If there are 5 cats, there can be 5, 6, or 7 dogs.
If there are 6 cats, there can be 5 or 6 dogs.
If there are 7 cats, there can be 5 dogs.

EXERCISES
Writing About Mathematics
1. Write a system of inequalities whose solution set is the unshaded region of the graph drawn
in Example 3. Explain your answer.
2. What points on the graph drawn in Example 3 are in the solution set of the system of open
sentences x  y  4 and y  2x  3? Explain your answer.
3. Describe the solution set of the system of inequalities y  4x and 4x  y  3. Explain why
this occurs.

Developing Skills
In 4–18, graph each system of inequalities and label the solution set S. Check one solution.
4. x  1 5. x  0 6. y  1
y  2 y0 yx1
7. y  x 8. y  2x 9. y  2x  3
y  2x  3 yx3 y  x
10. y  x  5 11. y  x  1 12. y  3x  6
y  2x  7 xy2 y  2x  4
13. x  y  3 14. x  y  2 15. 2x  y  6
x–y6 xy2 xy20
16. 2x  3y  6 17. y $ 12x 18. x 1 34y # 3
1 2
xy40 x0 3y 2 3x , 0

In 19–23, in each case, graph the solution set in a coordinate plane.

19. 1  x  4 20. 5  x  1 21. 2  y  6
22. 2  y  3 23. (y  1) and (y  5)
 Graphing the Solution Set of a System of Inequalities 435

In 24 and 25, write the system of equation whose solution set is labeled S.
24. y 25. y

1 1
O 1 x O 1 x
S
S

Applying Skills
26. In Ms. Dwyer’s class, the number of boys is more than twice the number of girls. There are
at least 2 girls. There are no more than 12 boys.
a. Write the three sentences given above as three inequalities, letting x equal the number
of girls and y equal the number of boys.
b. On one set of axes, graph the three inequalities written in part a.
c. Label the solution set of the system of inequalities S.
d. Do the coordinates of every point in the region labeled S represent the possible num-
ber of girls and number of boys in Ms. Dwyer’s class? Explain your answer.
e. Write one ordered pair that could represent the number of girls and boys in Ms.
Dwyer’s class.
27. When Mr. Ehmke drives to work, he drives on city streets for part of the trip and on the
expressway for the rest of the trip. The total trip is less than 8 miles. He drives at least 1 mile
on city streets and at least 2 miles on the expressway.
a. Write three inequalities to represent the information given above, letting x equal the
number of miles driven on city streets and y equal the number of miles driven on the
expressway.
b. On one set of axes, graph the three inequalities written in part a.
c. Label the solution set of the system of inequalities R.
d. Do the coordinates of every point in the region labeled R represent the possible num-
ber of miles driven on city streets and driven on the expressway? Explain your answer.
e. Write one ordered pair that could represent the number of miles Mr. Ehmke drives on
city streets and on the expressway.
28. Mildred bakes cakes and pies for sale. She takes orders for the baked goods but also makes
extras to sell in her shop. On any day, she can make a total of no more than 12 cakes and
pies. For Monday, she had orders for 4 cakes and 6 pies. Draw a graph and list the possible
number of cakes and pies she might make on Monday.
436 Writing and Solving Systems of Linear Functions

CHAPTER SUMMARY
The equation of a line can be written if one of the following sets of infor-
mation is known:
1. The slope and one point
2. The slope and the y-intercept
3. Two points
4. The x-intercept and the y-intercept
A system of two linear equations in two variables may be:
1. Consistent: its solution is at least one ordered pair of numbers. (The
graphs of the equations are intersecting lines or lines that coincide.)
2. Inconsistent: its solution is the empty set. (The graphs of the equations are
parallel with no points in common.)
3. Dependent: its solution is an infinite set of number pairs. (The graphs of
the equations are the same line.)
4. Independent: its solution set is exactly one ordered pair of numbers.
The solution of an independent linear system in two variables may be found
graphically by determining the coordinates of the point of intersection of the
graphs or algebraically by using addition or substitution. Systems of linear equa-
tions can be used to solve verbal problems.
The solution set of a system of inequalities can be shown on a graph as the
intersection of the solution sets of the inequalities.

VOCABULARY

10-4 System of simultaneous equations • Linear system • System of consistent

equations • System of independent equations • System of inconsistent
equations • System of dependent equations
10-5 Addition method
10-6 Substitution method • Substitution principle
10-8 System of inequalities

REVIEW EXERCISES

1. Solve the following system of equations for x and y and check the solution:
5x  2y  22
x  2y  2
 Review Exercises 437

2. a. Graph the following system of inequalities and check one solution:

y  2x  3
y  2x
b. Describe the solution set of the system in terms of the solution sets of
the individual inequalities.

In 3–8, write the equation of the line, in the form y  mx  b, that satisfies each
of the given conditions.
y
3. Through (1, 2) with slope 3
4. Through (5, 6) with slope 112
5. Through (2, 5) and (2, 3)
6. Through (1, 3) and (5, 3)
7. With slope 223 and y-intercept 0 1
8. Graphed to the right
O1 x

x y
In 9–14, write the equation of the line, in the form a 1 b 5 1, that satisfies each
of the given conditions.
y
9. With slope 1 and y-intercept 1
10. With slope 3.5 and y-intercept 1.5 1
11. With x-intercept 5 and y-intercept 2 O
1 x
12. With x-intercept 34 and y-intercept 57
13. Through (1, 3) and (5, 6)
14. Graphed to the right

In 15–17, write the equation of the line, in the form Ax  By  C, that satisfies
each of the given conditions.
15. Parallel to the y-axis and 3 units to the left of the y-axis
16. Through (0, 4) and (2, 0)
17. Through (1, 1) and (4, 5)

In 18–20, solve each system of equations graphically and check.

18. x  y  6 19. y  x 20. 2y  x  4
y  2x  6 2x  y  3 xy40
438 Writing and Solving Systems of Linear Functions

In 21–23, solve each system of equations by using addition to eliminate one of

the variables. Check.
21. 2x  y  10 22. x  4y  1 23. 3c  d  0
xy3 5x  6y  8 c  4d  52

In 24–26, solve each system of equations by using substitution to eliminate one

of the variables. Check.
24 x  2y  7 25. 3r  2s  20 26. x  y  7
xy8 r  2s 2x  3y  21

In 27–32, solve each system of equations by using an appropriate algebraic

method. Check.
27. x  y  0 28. 5a  3b  17 29. t  u  12
3x  2y  5 4a  5b  21 t  13u
30. 3a  4b 31. x  y  1,000 32. 10t  u  24
4a  5b  2 0.06x  0.04y t  u  17 (10u 1 t)
33. a. Solve this system of equations algebraically:
xy3
x  3y  9
b. On a set of coordinate axes, graph the system of equations given in part a.

In 34–36, graph each system of inequalities and label the solution set A.
34. y  2x  3 35. y  12x 36. 2x  y  4
y5x x  4 x  y  2

In 37–41, for each problem, write two equations in two variables and solve
algebraically.
37. The sum of two numbers is 7. Their difference is 18. Find the numbers.
38. At a store, 3 notebooks and 2 pencils cost $2.80. At the same prices, 2
notebooks and 5 pencils cost $2.60. Find the cost of a notebook and of a
pencil.
39. Two angles are complementary. The larger angle measures 15° less than
twice the smaller angle. Find the degree measure of each angle.
40. The measure of the vertex angle of an isosceles triangle is 3 times the
measure of each of the base angles. Find the measure of each angle of the
triangle.
41. At the beginning of the year, Lourdes’s salary increased by 3%. If her
weekly salary is now $254.41, what was her weekly salary last year?
 Cumulative Review 439

Exploration
Jason and his brother Robby live 1.25 miles from school. Jason rides his bicycle
to school and Robby walks. The graph below shows their relative positions on
their way to school one morning.
Use the information provided by the graph to describe Robby’s and Jason’s
journeys to school. Who left first? Who arrived at school first? If each boy took
the same route to school, when did Jason pass Robby? How fast did Robby
walk? How fast did Jason ride his bicycle?
1.25
DISTANCE (MILES) 1.0

0.75

0.50
ROBBY
0.25
JASON
0
8:00 8:05 8:10 8:15 8:20 8:25 8:30
TIME

CUMULATIVE REVIEW CHAPTERS 1–10

Part I
Answer all questions in this part. Each correct answer will receive 2 credits. No
partial credit will be allowed.
1. The multiplicative inverse of 0.4 is
(1) 0.4 (2) 1 (3) 2.5 (4) 2.5
2. Which of the following numbers has the greatest value?
(1) 1.5 (2) 21.5 (3) 2"2 (4) 0.5p
3. Which of the following is an example of the associative property of addi-
tion?
(1) 6  (x  3)  6  (3  x) (3) 3(4a)  (3 4)a
(2) 2(x  2)  2x  4 (4) 3  (4  a)  (3  4)  a
4. Which of the following is a point on the line whose equation is
x  y  5?
(1) (1, 4) (2) (1, 4) (3) (1, 4) (4) (1, 4)
5. The expression 5  2(3x2  8) is equivalent to
(1) 9x2  24 (2) 6x2  21 (3) 9x2  8 (4) 6x2  11
6. The solution of the equation 0.2x  3  x  1 is
(1) 5 (2) 5 (3) 0.5 (4) 50
440 Writing and Solving Systems of Linear Functions

7. The product of 3.40 103 and 8.50 102 equals

(1) 2.89 100 (2) 2.89 101 (3) 2.89 102 (4) 2.89 101
8. The measure of A is 12° less than twice the measure of its complement.
What is the measure of A?
(1) 51° (2) 34° (3) 39° (4) 56°
9. The y-intercept of the graph of 2x  3y  6 is
(1) 6 (2) 2 (3) 3 (4) 3
10. When 2a  5a is subtracted from 5a  1, the difference is
2 2

(1) 3a2  5a  1 (3) 3a2  6a

(2) 3a  5a  1
2
(4) 3a2  5a  1

Part II
Answer all questions in this part. Each correct answer will receive 2 credits.
Clearly indicate the necessary steps, including appropriate formula substitu-
tions, diagrams, graphs, charts, etc. For all questions in this part, a correct numer-
ical answer with no work shown will receive only 1 credit.
11. A straight line has a slope of 3 and contains the point (0, 6). What are
the coordinates of the point at which the line intersects the x-axis?
12. Last year the Edwards family spent $6,200 for food. This year, the cost of
food for the family was $6,355. What was the percent of increase in the
cost of food for the Edwards family?

Part III
Answer all questions in this part. Each correct answer will receive 3 credits.
Clearly indicate the necessary steps, including appropriate formula substitu-
tions, diagrams, graphs, charts, etc. For all questions in this part, a correct numer-
ical answer with no work shown will receive only 1 credit.
13. Dana paid $3.30 for 2 muffins and a cup of coffee. At the same prices,
Damion paid $5.35 for 3 muffins and 2 cups of coffee. What is the cost of
a muffin and of a cup of coffee?
14. In trapezoid ABCD, BC ' AB and BC ' DC. If AB  54.8 feet,
DC  37.2 feet, and BC  15.8 feet, find to the nearest degree the
measure of A.
 Cumulative Review 441

Part IV
Answer all questions in this part. Each correct answer will receive 4 credits.
Clearly indicate the necessary steps, including appropriate formula substitu-
tions, diagrams, graphs, charts, etc. For all questions in this part, a correct numer-
ical answer with no work shown will receive only 1 credit.
15. Tamara wants to develop her own pictures but does not own photographic
equipment. The Community Darkroom makes the use of photographic
equipment available for a fee. Membership costs $25 a month and mem-
bers pay $1.50 an hour for the use of the equipment. Non-members may
also use the equipment for $4.00 an hour.
a. Draw a graph that shows the cost of becoming a member and using the
photographic equipment. Let the vertical axis represent cost in dollars
and the horizontal axis represent hours of use.
b. On the same graph, show the cost of using the photographic equipment
for non-members.
c. When Tamara became a member of the Community Darkroom in June,
she found that her cost for that month would have been the same if she
had not been a member. How many hours did Tamara use the facilities
of the darkroom in June?
16. ABCD is a rectangle, E is a point on DC, AD  24 centimeters, DE  32
centimeters, and EC  10 centimeters.
a. Find the area of nABE.
b. Find the perimeter of nABE.